Monday, October 29, 2012

"The Struggle" of Change....


Through a lot of transition,  I am trying to embrace change more than I ever have.  My personality is very change oriented but sometimes the idea of "change" isn't always for the better.  Sometimes our hard work is yet a memory when change comes around.  What I have learned the most is that the Serenity Prayer has become my new motto.  "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."  The key words are accept, courage, and wisdom.

Let's talk about these words a little more.  Sometimes we need to accept the fact that our vision is not the vision of others who lead.

Accept is defined as "to receive something, especially with favor."  It is an action verb.  For me, accepting things I cannot change is a matter of letting it go.  Even with a heavy heart it must be done.

Courage is defined as "The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery."  This one I struggle with a little more.  When you know that you can make positive changes but have been "put in your place" so to speak, it is often hard to try to continue making such argument.

Finally wisdom is defined as "The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight. Common sense; good judgment: "It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things."

Sometimes in the end we have to sit back and watch to cookie crumble and the walls fall.  It is in the struggle that we can find strength.

This reminds me of the story of the butterfly struggle......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqy00il0wac

One of my favorite quotes is "Be the change you wish to see in the world."  Sometimes being that change comes from making decisions and prayerfully considering the alternatives. Often times this can require us to struggle, leave the familiar and move on.

My challenge for you today is to think about the idea of change and answer these questions......  Are you doing what you can to be the change you wish to see?  Are there things/people that are holding you back from being such change?  What are some steps you can take to open up to new opportunities and new adventures?

How can we grow through our struggle?